8 Companies That Are Helping During the Coronavirus Crisis

If you want a bright spot in the current corona virus news cycle, look at the many ways people and businesses are giving back. There are plenty of organizations taking donations to provide support to those hit by the COVID-19 crisis, and in addition to charity, you can make your dollar count by buying from companies that are doing something to support vulnerable populations, small businesses, and regular customers at this time. Here are some businesses responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak in unique ways.

1. Stop & Shop has hours specifically for at-risk customers.

One place where it’s still hard to avoid crowds during the age of social distancing is the supermarket, and this can be dangerous for seniors, who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. With this in mind, Stop & Shop announced that for 90 minutes at the beginning of each day, it will be open exclusively to customers who are older or more susceptible to the virus for any reason. To keep shoppers safe during this time, there are signs reminding them to keep a distance of at least 6 feet and only every other register is open. The senior hours extend from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

2. The Crème Shop is donating masks to hospitals.

Medical care providers are putting themselves at risk every day during the novel coronavirus outbreak, and in some cases, they lack the personal protective equipment necessary to stay safe. Following massive demand across the globe, face masks are in especially short supply. One of the companies stepping up to get masks into the hands of people who need them is The Crème Shop. In addition to donating N95 masks to hospitals, the South Korean beauty brand is also giving away a free mask to customers with every online order, which you can then give to a friend or family member who may be in need. Enter the promo STAYSAFE with your order to claim a mask while supplies last.

3. BA&SH is donating sales money to COVID-19 research.

There’s no reason you can’t look good when you’re stuck at home—just make sure you stick to online retailers when updating your wardrobe. If you do your shopping with BA&SH, 15 percent of the sales money will be donated to novel coronavirus research. You can also use the promo code BASHFAMILY to take 25 percent off your purchase when buying clothes, shoes, and other items from the fashion site.

4. Adobe is waiving Photoshop payments.

Workers around the country have seen business dry up over the past few weeks as people retreat into their homes. That includes photographers, many of whom rely on events like weddings to make money. In an effort to help users facing sudden economic struggles, Adobe is waiving payment fees for all subscribers for the next two months. But the savings won’t come to you automatically. In order to take advantage of the offer, you need to go through the steps of canceling your plan until Adobe offers you the two-months-free deal to keep you as a subscriber. Click “accept offer” and continue enjoying the service at no cost for the next couple months.

5. America’s Test Kitchen is offering free recipes.

With more time at home and limited ways to spend it, many people in quarantine are turning to cooking. Whether you’re craving comfort food that sticks to your ribs or lighter fare to keep you healthy and energized, you can find a recipe for it from America’s Test Kitchen. During the COVID-19 crisis, the cooking website will allow non-subscribers to view 50 select recipes for free. If you’re planning on hunkering down at home, the collection includes plenty of pantry meals and freezable favorites refined by the America’s Test Kitchen team. There are also more elaborate baking projects for days when you’re looking to pass the time indoors.

6. UberEats is waiving delivery fees to select independent restaurants.

Even if you’re dining in for the foreseeable future, don’t forget to support your local restaurants. Ordering delivery is just as safe as a trip to the grocery store, if not safer, and it helps restaurants stay in business during a time when many of them are struggling. To do their part, UberEats is waiving delivery fees on all orders placed at independent restaurants during the COVID-19 outbreak. You can find the restaurants that need the most support and save money at the same time by searching under the "EAT LOCAL" banner in the UberEats app.

7. Amazon's no-rush delivery option gives priority to essential orders.

With businesses closing and people spending more time at home, online delivery services are more popular than ever. Amazon has become a vital resource for people looking to get necessities shipped to their homes—either because they’re quarantined or their local stores are low on supplies. In light of this, the company announced that it will temporarily prioritize orders of medical products and household staples, like toilet paper, to keep the supply chain moving smoothly.

If you’re using online shopping to stock up on bath bombs, board games, or other goods that could be considered non-essential, Amazon is giving you the opportunity to help. Choose "No-Rush Shipping" on your order to ensure your purchase won’t get in the way of high-priority orders (and you may make $3 as a result.) Amazon writes in a blog post, “Selecting the No-Rush option enables us to consolidate orders and make fewer stops in neighborhoods throughout the week, and most importantly, serve customers with the most critical needs first.” The company is also hiring 100,000 new employees during this time to keep up with demand.

8. Distilleries are making (and donating) hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizer is another item that’s been hard to find since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. In response to the nationwide shortage, a Portland distillery chipped in by using its surplus alcohol to make hygiene products. Shine Distillery and Grill’s hand sanitizer contains 80 percent alcohol—20 percent above the guidelines suggested by the CDC—and it’s given out freely to customers who need it. Other distilleries in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey are offering similar services.

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